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Plans, policies and reports

Community outcomes 2008 progress report

Overview | Leadership | Social well-being | Economic well-being | Environmental well-being | Cultural well-being | Download report | More helpful information

Cultural well-being

Auckland is interesting and enjoyable

Where do we want to be?

Our city is stimulating, with a variety of affordable recreation, sport, artistic and cultural events happening citywide.

We enjoy the recreation, sporting and lifestyle opportunities our city provides - its abundance of water and coast, volcanic cones, bush, islands, parks and open spaces.

How will we know this?

More people take advantage of the many things to do in Auckland.

What we measure and why

  • The percentage of people who play sport or take part in community and recreation activities
  • Residents' views on Auckland being interesting and enjoyable to live in

More people coming together to play sport or take part in community and recreation activities suggests it is easy to access a range of stimulating recreational opportunities. People's views on whether Auckland city is interesting and enjoyable are likely to be influenced by the range and quality of recreational, cultural and lifestyle opportunities the city offers.

Key trends

  • Auckland city offers a wide range of sporting and recreational opportunities and many of our residents are taking these up.
  • Although participation in sports clubs is low compared with other cities in New Zealand, three-quarters of Auckland city residents take part in sports and recreational activities. Over half take part in other types of community activities through other clubs, societies and churches.
  • We consistently rate Auckland city as a good place to live, work and enjoy life, and more and more of our residents (91 per cent) are feeling that we enjoy a good overall quality of life.

Case study: The waterfront

Auckland's CBD waterfront is one of our greatest assets. It stretches from the Harbour Bridge in the west to Teal Park.

Aucklanders have said we want to enjoy public access to the waterfront and to retain the breathtaking views of our harbour and islands. We want the waterfront to be a clean and healthy environment, and we want its heritage, maritime history and local character to be respected and celebrated. We also want easy and safe access to our waterfront and we want a mix of things to do there, making it a great place to live work and play. We recognise that it is a vital economic driver for the region and that the marinas provide ideal facilities for boaties. Our vision is that we want the waterfront to be a stunning and vibrant destination with promenades, views, public spaces and activities that celebrate our heritage, our 'City of Sails' lifestyle and identity.

We need to plan for this. Auckland Waterfront Vision 2040 is the planning framework for the waterfront. It was developed by Auckland City Council and Auckland Regional Council with Ports of Auckland in December 2005 and is designed to implement this vision.

To ensure there is a high-quality, coordinated development approach Auckland City Council is securing key pieces of land along the waterfront. To date, this approach has included purchasing Westhaven Marina in 2004, facilitating the redevelopment of the Britomart Precinct and funding the development of the Vector Arena.

 The waterfront.

Aucklanders welcome diversity

Where do we want to be?

We value and celebrate our city's many people. People from every culture and walk of life feel comfortable living here.

How will we know this?

Diversity is increasingly accepted and celebrated.

What we measure and why?

  • The number of Māori people who speak Māori (te Reo)
  • Number of people from other ethnicities that settle in Auckland
  • Residents views on welcoming diversity
  • The number of people who can speak more than one language including English

Auckland city is an ethnically diverse city, made up of Māori, Pacific, European and Asian cultures. People from more than 180 ethnicities have settled in Auckland city, helping to enrich the international feel of the city. Language is an important part of celebrating our cultural identity and heritage. Attitudes towards cultural heritage and diversity are a significant factor in determining whether te Reo Māori and minority languages can prosper.  

Key trends

  • Our cultural heritage is valued. There has been significant progress towards the revitalisation of Māori language. In 2006, 20.6 per cent of Māori in Auckland city could speak Māori.
  • Auckland city is home to an increasing number of people from other cultures. More and more Aucklanders are positive about the impact of diversity on our city.

Celebrating Māori culture

Cultural events such as Waitangi Day and Matariki have helped to increase the profile and recognition of Māori culture in Auckland city.

In 2008, Auckland City Council collaborated with Ngati Whatua o Orakei and local iwi to host the first Waitangi Day signature event. It was a well-attended celebration at Okahu Bay acknowledging the historical signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and the relationship between Crown and Iwi.

Key dignitaries attended with celebrations commencing with a re-enactment of Governor William Hobson's arrival to Auckland at Okahu Bay. A traditional powhiri initiated the welcoming proceedings.

It was a whanau-orientated event embracing tradition, culture, food, art and live entertainment. As kaitiaki, tangata whenua applied a zero-waste policy, encouraging traditional sustainable ideologies in a contemporary setting. This worked to raise public awareness around sustainability and the values Māori hold toward the environment.

Auckland City Council provides annual funding for Matariki events. Working together with Toi Whenua and iwi, the council was able to deliver an array of activities to celebrate the Māori new year, Matariki.

This worked to raise the awareness of both Māori and non-Māori, therefore promoting cross-cultural understanding.

Auckland is creative and vibrant

Where do we want to be?

Our city is vibrant and full of energy. It has a strong identity of culture and heritage. Innovation is celebrated and art and artists are encouraged. The city forms a national and international hub for creativity.

How will we know this?

Auckland's role as a hub for creativity grows.

What we measure and why?

  • The percentage of people who actively take part in cultural activities
  • Residents' views on Auckland being creative and vibrant
  • The number of people employed in the creative sector in the city
  • The GDP contribution of Auckland city's creative sector

Arts, events and cultural activities contribute to our sense of Auckland city as a vibrant and creative place to live. Taking part in cultural events is an expression of a vibrant community.

Auckland city's role as a creative hub depends on how well we foster the arts and creative industries. In addition to providing employment for a significant number of our residents, the creative sector contributes to Auckland city's economy.

Key trends

  • Most people in Auckland city take part in arts and cultural events and think that we have a culturally rich and diverse arts scene.
  • Auckland city's creative sector is strong, with over 30 per cent of the national creative sector employment located in the city. The economic impact of the creative industries on Auckland city is significant. It contributes to the economy providing 7 per cent of our city's total GDP.

Published January 2009